By Jamie Styles
February 20 – Last week Jay Beatty, a young Celtic super-fan with Down’s Syndrome, was nominated in Scotland’s SPL Goal of the Month competition. Today the league announced that Jay had won the award with a landslide victory, receiving a massive 97% of the votes.
The 11-year-old was nominated for the prize following his half-time penalty during Celtic’s game against Hamilton in January. Jay was invited to the game as a special guest of the New Douglas Park side and even gave the Celtic players a pre-match team talk in the away dressing room.
The news of Jay’s win was delivered by his friend and hero, former Hoops striker Georgios Samaras. In a touching video message, the Greek star said: “Jay my friend, me and you are the same, scoring goals.
“I’m very happy to announce that you won the goal of the month. Well done pal, great job. I miss you and I love you. See you, Jay.”
Thanks to considerable social media support, the youngster’s strike beat a host of SPL stars, including Celtic’s Mikael Lustig, and Aberdeen’s David Goodwillie, by a record margin.
Celebrity Celtic fan Paolo Nutini had backed the youngster to win the award, tweeting “Jay Beatty for Goal of the Month. L.E.G.E.N.D. Much love to you brother.”
On hearing the news of his son’s success, Jay’s father Martin said: “Not many of us get to live our dreams and Jay is getting to live all our dreams.
“Thank you to everyone for making this possible – we are so grateful and proud.”
You can watch Georgios Samaras’ personal message below and Jay’s winning strike here.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1738785971labto1738785971ofdlr1738785971owedi1738785971sni@s1738785971nosra1738785971p.mot1738785971